Andy Ward is recalled to the Ireland team for Saturday's Five Nations Championship game against Wales in Wembley, the only alteration to the side that lost 10-9 to France in the opening match of the tournament.
St Mary's College number eight Victor Costello drops to the replacements bench to accommodate Ward's return.
Costello tore rib cartilage against the French and while he has made an excellent recovery, he is not fully rehabilitated. Ireland team manager Donal Lenihan explained: "Victor is 95 per cent fit at the moment but the medical people are happy that he will be 100 per cent fit by Saturday. We wanted the full side to be able to train today (sic) but we are more than happy to include him (Costello) on the bench."
Ward missed the game against France following a knee ligament injury, his prompt return precipitated by Costello's misfortune. The Irish team management avoided having to make a potentially tricky decision regarding the composition of the backrow. Lenihan conceded: "We were very happy with the performance of the backrow the last day but as regards any dilemma over selection it is one that we would like to have."
Eric Miller moves to number eight, his favoured position, with Ward reclaiming the number seven jersey. Ireland will miss Costello's sheer physical presence and ability to forge the "hard yards" but Miller's ball handling skills will provide different options. The only other area that merited discussion in a media context was the composition of the midfield. Rob Henderson's excellent performance when coming on for the injured Jonathan Bell was discussed.
"The midfield was something that was spoken about," Lenihan confirmed.
Lenihan maintained that while they were delighted with Henderson's performance, Jonathan Bell was their first choice for the position and so the Dungannon centre was restored to the team after proving his fitness.
The vexed question of placekicking was briefly aired. with Lenihan quickly dismissing this topic of conversation.
When asked as to whether he had spoken to David Humphreys about kicking, the Irish manager replied: "I have not spoken to him (Humphreys) at all about kicking. He knows a lot more about kicking than we do. The issue was not spoken about nor are we unduly concerned in that respect." Lenihan pointed out that Humphreys had enjoyed a further two weeks practice since the last game.
Arguably the one disappointing aspect of what was a very good Irish performance against France was the indiscipline which ultimately denied a merited victory. It is an area that management addressed again during the week.
"We have been conscious of this for a number of months. The pleasing aspect is that we only conceded four kicks at goal against the French so the penalty count has improved. We have emphasised it again and Warren spoke to the players about it again this morning. Indiscipline cost us the match. I would be surprised if you see that again."
He added that the penalty which French out-half Thomas Castaignede kicked to win the match was a dubious award but conceded that they had spoken to Paul Wallace about it.
The unfamiliar backdrop to Saturday's game, Wembley Stadium, was viewed in a positive manner. "No Irish team has ever played at Wembley before so the players are looking forward to that," Lenihan conceded. "It is something that we have focused in on. The Welsh have told us that it is an 80,000 sell out and the fact that the game is in London should draw a big Irish support."
Irish coach Warren Gatland outlined the task facing Ireland on Saturday. "Wales suffered a huge dent to their confidence in losing against Scotland but they have a wonderful coach in Graham Henry and will be very tough to beat."
The team will train at Westmanstown today before leaving tomorrow morning. They will train twice at Wembley in a bid to familiarise themselves.
Ireland (v Wales, Wembley, Saturday): C O'Shea (London Irish); J Bishop (London Irish), K Maggs (Bath), J Bell (Dungannon), G Dempsey (Terenure College); D Humphreys (Dungannon), C McGuinness (St Mary's College); P Clohessy (Young Munster), K Wood (Harlequins), P Wallace (Saracens), P Johns (Saracens, capt), J Davidson (Castres), D O'Cuinneagain (Sale), A Ward (Ballynahinch), E Miller (Terenure College). Replacements: R Henderson (Wasps), E Elwood (Galwegians), C Scally (UCD), V Costello (St Mary's College), M Galwey (Shannon), J Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), R Nesdale (Newcastle).
